Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Fire protection as related to battery charging areas

This is in response to your letter of May 4, 1988, concerning safe
distance as it applies to fire protection regarding battery charging
areas outlined in 29 CFR 1910.178(g)(10) and (g)(11).

29 CFR 1910.178(a) addresses some of the concerns expressed in your
letter. 29 CFR 1910.178(a)(1) specifies that: "This section contains
safety requirements relating to fire protection, design, maintenance
---;" and 29 CFR 1910.178(a)(2) specifies: "All new powered industrial
trucks acquired and used by an employer after the effective date
specified in paragraph (b) of 1910.182 shall meet the design and
construction requirements for powered industrial trucks established in
the American National Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks, Part II,
ANSI B56.1-1969, except for vehicles intended primarily for earth moving
or over-the-road hauling. Paragraph (b) of 1910.182 specifies that 29
CFR 1910.178(a)(2) became effective on February 15, 1972.

[29 CFR 1910.178(g)(1)] and ANSI B56.1-1969 (portions attached) specify
that battery charging installations be located and designated for that
purpose. Facilities shall be provided to include fire protection and
adequate ventilation based on the amount of batteries to be charged
and/or stored. The safe distance thus would be outside of this special
designated area.

Precautions to prevent open flames, sparks or electrical area in the
battery charging area are based on the concern for the amounts of
hydrogen and oxygen which are given off from the batteries while being
charged. Dispersal and dilution of these gases is a critical
consideration as is also the potential accumulation of hydrogen in
unventilated floor to ceiling areas of the designated facility.

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.151(b) does not specify whether first aid
supplies can be locked up or not. The standard does require the supplies
to be "readily available". Positive control measures may be taken
providing the supplies are at hand, ready for use, and can be obtained
easily and quickly. Normally the employer will establish procedures for
the use of the first aid supplies after consultation with the consulting
physician. For additional information regarding forklift safety, visit us online at www.forklifttraining.com